Page #5: "Trial by Earth"
Dear diary, today marked the start of my trials of Conjury with Brother E-Sumi-Yan, the wisest old man I have ever known. Though one must have patience with him, with his long speeches, and learn to look past the distracting adorable young face he wears. He is a Hearer of the forest and communes with the Elementals that rule the Twelveswood. I think perhaps one day I too could become a Hearer. I'll have to learn from Brother E-Sumi and listen well to the voices of the forest. For now, it was time for my test of knowledge on the element of earth.
The secret to wielding the energy of the elements is to release all anxiety and allow oneself to be surrounded by the serenity of life, for it is the wellspring of nature's power. Conjurers who are ignorant to this pose a terrible risk to themselves and others. As Hearer Nolanel always said, the power of earth is the solid foundation upon which a conjurer stands, within all its intricate variations and properties.
For my trial, I was to locate a secure path through a labyrinth of rocks by communing with the earth itself and avoiding locations of corrupted trauma, lest I be faced with danger. What I chose instead to do, was hunt each location of trauma, not avoid it, hereby placing myself in danger, but I am nothing if not a healer of the soil, and so I chose to cleanse the maze of rocks off it's tainted energies, permitting the land a chance to heal. I was commended for this, and received great merit for combat skills, though I did fail to finish the trial. I could sense the rocks just well, but seeing the map does not a pathfinder make! Ah! Nophica give me patience.
Sunflower's Blossom (Tumblr link)